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• Featured Colleges at the University of Kentucky
  (Click here to inquire)
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Center for English as a Second Language
• Tuition and Finances
• Location: Lexington, Kentucky

Please note that most links lead to external pages in English.

The University of Kentucky (UK) is a place to dream and succeed. UK is the flagship institution of higher education in the state of Kentucky. As a leading research university, UK is on an exciting path toward becoming a Top 20 public institution – one that is conducting groundbreaking research in everything from energy to the environment to cancer. Yet the University of Kentucky remains one of the most affordable major universities in the United States.

Achieve your educational and career goals at the University of Kentucky:

• Choose from more than 200 majors and 70 nationally-ranked academic programs
• Elect to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in 4 to 5 years through the University Scholars Program
• Enroll in the UK Honors Program with classes taught by specially-appointed faculty who challenge students to acquire essential critical and analytical skills while examining the ideas that shape today's world
• Accelerate your career with the university's Undergraduate Research Program
• Gain work-based experience with guidance from the James W. Stuckert Career Center

Interested?
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(Please note that correspondence
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What makes the University of Kentucky outstanding?

• A campus of 27,000 students, including students from more than 100 countries, that still retains an average class size of 25 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.
• The distinction of being one of only seven schools in the United States with prominent professional and health programs – including medicine, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, law and agriculture – all on one campus.
• More than 350 student organizations, including academic clubs, fraternities, sororities, leadership groups and international organizations.
• Tuition that is highly competitive compared to other institutions of similar stature.
• A Top 50 ranking for quality and value among institutions in the United States from U.S. News and World Report.

Featured Colleges at the University of Kentucky

College of Engineering: The University of Kentucky College of Engineering is the state's largest and most comprehensive engineering institution with nationally and internationally recognized faculty. Now in its second century of service, UK's College of Engineering occupies a position among the Top 100 engineering schools in the United States. A joint program between the College of Engineering and the Gatton College of Business and Economics offers students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's of science degree and a master's of business administration degree in five years.

Gatton College of Business and Economics: The Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky is committed to preparing savvy, world-ready professionals. The college offers immersive programs and top-notch faculty, as well as unique opportunities such as an 11-month intensive MBA program and a highly-selective Global Scholars Program.

College of Agriculture: The University of Kentucky offers the only comprehensive agricultural program in the state of Kentucky and one of the most prestigious agricultural programs in the country. The College of Agriculture covers everything from livestock and natural resources to merchandising and education.

Medical Center: The University of Kentucky Medical Center includes six colleges -- Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health and Health Sciences –- all located on the university's Lexington campus. The College of Pharmacy, ranked as the fifth best pharmacy program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools, continues to be an international leader in pharmacy education, clinical care and pharmaceutical research. All of the College of Medicine's basic science departments and two of its clinical departments are in the National Institutes of Health Top 20.

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Applying to the University of Kentucky
Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Kentucky subscribes to a selective admissions policy. The admissions decision is based on a number of factors, including cumulative secondary school grade point average (GPA), English language proficiency, special talents and abilities.

Academic Qualifications: Most students accepted in 2007 had an average GPA between 3.20 and 3.70 (on a 4.00 scale). An SAT or ACT score is not required for the freshman application, but it is needed to be considered for academic scholarships.

English Language Proficiency Requirement: Language proficiency may be demonstrated with TOEFL or IELTS exams. The minimum TOEFL score required is 527 for the paper-based test, 197 for the computer-based test or 71 for the Internet-based test. The minimum accepted IELTS score is 6.0. Applicants who do not meet the English proficiency standards may attend UK's Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) to fulfill this requirement. UK's Institutional Code for standardized tests at the undergraduate level is 1234.

Conditional Admission: International undergraduate applicants who meet UK's academic requirements for admission but do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirement may be offered conditional admission. These students can complete the language requirement by enrolling in full-time intensive language courses at UK's Center for English as a Second Language. The duration of these courses depends on placement test results and individual student progress. Upon successful completion of the English language course(s), students move seamlessly into a degree program at UK.

Advanced Standing: The University of Kentucky recognizes academic course credit earned through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program offered by schools throughout the world. Generally, course credit is awarded for scores of 5, 6 or 7 on either the standard level exam or the higher level exam. Advance Placement (AP) credit is also considered.

Application Deadlines for International Undergraduate Students:
Some programs have earlier deadlines. For program-specific information, visit our major sheets page.

Application Materials: In order for the Office of Undergraduate Admission to make an admission decision, UK must receive a complete application package, including:

• The International Application for Undergraduate Admission available at http://www.uky.edu/Admission/international.htm
• A $45 non-refundable application processing fee.
• Official secondary school transcripts translated into English. (Please arrange to have all official transcripts, matriculation certificates, diplomas and mark sheets with English translation sent to UK.)
• An official bank statement showing an available balance of $27,800.* This fee is accurate as of Fall 2008. Fees are subject to change.
• The Sponsor Guarantee Form available at http://www.uky.edu/Admission/files/sponsors.pdf
• Proof of English proficiency.
• Official SAT or ACT scores for freshmen who want to be considered for academic scholarships.

Further details are available at http://www.uky.edu/Admission/international.htm

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Applying to the University of Kentucky
Graduate Admissions

The University of Kentucky offers advanced study in 90 program areas -- awarding doctoral degrees in 56 fields, master's degrees in 94 fields, and three specialist degrees. Nearly 8,000 graduate students are currently enrolled in a variety of academic and professional programs. Graduate programs are administered by the Graduate School. Professional programs in Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy and Medicine have their own application processes.

Financial Assistance: Financial assistance for graduate students is available in the form of fellowships and assistantships. An assistantship is an appointment to specified teaching or research duties. A fellowship is a non-service award made to superior students to assist in the pursuit of an advanced degree.

Application Deadlines for International Graduate Students:
Some programs have earlier deadlines. See the Graduate School Web site.

Application Materials: In addition to the completed application form, which is available online, graduate school applicants are required to submit the following:

• Official Transcripts: Transcripts are required from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transcripts should be sent directly from each college or university to the University of Kentucky. One set of transcripts should be mailed to the UK Graduate School Admissions Officer, and a second set should be mailed to the Director of Graduate Studies for the individual program. In general, an overall grade point average of 2.75 for undergraduate work and 3.00 for graduate work is required of degree-seeking students. Individual programs may have higher requirements.
• Official GRE Scores: GRE scores should be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Please note that some programs require official GMAT scores.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores: All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores directly from the testing service. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test or 79 for the Internet-based test. The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. UK's Institutional Code for standardized tests is 1837.
• Application Fee: The application fee for international applicants is $65. Please note that applications cannot be processed without the application fee.

Please note: Many graduate programs at the University of Kentucky require the completion of secondary, program-specific application forms and/or the submission of additional supporting documents, such as letters of recommendation. These items should be sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies for the program of interest. To view a directory and program-specific requirements, visit the Graduate School Web site.

Admissions Procedure: Once all of the required materials have been received by The Graduate School, an Admissions Officer will review the application to make certain the minimum requirements for admission have been satisfied. Application materials will then be sent to the designated degree program. Academic programs make the final recommendation for admission. Applicants will be notified in writing by The Graduate School when a decision has been made.

Inquire for more info.

The Center for English as a Second Language

The Intensive ESL Program in the University of Kentucky Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) is designed to improve the English language proficiency of non-native speakers for educational, business, social or other purposes. It is intended for three different groups:

• Students who need to become proficient in English so they can be accepted into academic programs at the University of Kentucky and other U.S. universities.
• Students admitted to degree programs who need to improve their English language skills.
• Non-students who have other reasons (business, social, personal) for wishing to improve their English.

CESL offers five 8-week sessions per year with five levels of proficiency, as well as a 4-week summer program. Separate applications should be made for graduate and undergraduate degree-seeking programs. Students are tested after arrival and placed into the appropriate level. For details, see the CESL Web site.

Tuition and Finances

The University of Kentucky offers a great education for fees that are surprisingly affordable, in comparison with other top-ranked research universities. UK is ranked 17th in the Best Value for Public Colleges and Universities in the U.S. category by Consumers Digest. Moreover, the university strives to ensure that students' access to a top-quality education is not limited by financial circumstances.

Approximate Cost of Study
at the University of Kentucky, 2008-09

Costs may vary by program. For specific information on graduate tuition and fees, please visit the Graduate School Web site.

Scholarships: The University of Kentucky offers limited international undergraduate student scholarships, which are quite competitive. Offers will only be made to students who have been admitted to the university. Thus, applicants must submit a completed admission application to the University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Admission. Requirements vary widely. See http://www.uky.edu/AcademicScholarships/ for details. Scholarship recipients will be notified in an acceptance letter and have the scholarship noted on their I-20 for their visa application.

Working on Campus: International students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus, while enrolled in full-time coursework. Most on-campus jobs pay $7 to $10 per hour. UK Student Employment assists students in finding job opportunities on campus. In 2007, it posted more than 4,000 positions for students.

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Location: Lexington, Kentucky

Campus Life: The University of Kentucky is located near downtown Lexington. The city is at the center of the Kentucky's Bluegrass region, known for its friendly residents and natural beauty. With a population of more than 260,000 people, Lexington blends urban conveniences and cultural attractions with Southern hospitality. Lexington has been ranked as one of the five safest cities in the United States (Mercer Human Resource Consulting). Picturesque rolling hills and horse farms are just minutes away form the bustling heart of the city.

The University of Kentucky is best known for its men's basketball team, which holds seven national championship titles. More than fifty varsity, club and intramural sports are available for all athletic levels. The campus has a state-of-the-art gymnasium, indoor swimming pools and other sports facilities.

But UK offers much more than world-class athletic programs. There are more than 350 student organizations, including academic clubs, fraternities, sororities and leadership groups. Two international student organizations, the International Student Council and the Cosmopolitan Club, are specifically designed to connect International students and American students. The UK Office of International Affairs offers support to hundreds of international students and scholars.

On-Campus Housing: University Housing offers students an exciting and unique opportunity to become part of a diverse, intellectual community. Living on campus makes it easy to take advantage of all the university has to offer. It is an excellent way to meet native English speakers and make new friends. International students can request a residence hall that stays open in summer and during vacations.

Top 20 Reasons to Live on Campus:

1. It's easy to make lots of friends.
2. You are close to classes.
3. No cooking or shopping for food.
4. No cleaning.
5. No driving in traffic.
6. FREE Internet and cable in rooms.
7. 26 libraries to utilize.
8. Access to three exercise facilities.
9. Close proximity to university sporting events.
10. Opportunities for FREE entertainment.
11. More than 200 student clubs and groups to join.
12. More chances to play intramural sports.
13. Bus transportation, making it easy to get to your destination.
14. Secure residence halls that require an ID to check-in.
15. Security cameras on campus.
16. UK's Living-Learning Communities, where you can meet others with similar interests.
17. FREE tutoring services.
18. Social and academic programming.
19. Access to all kinds of support services.
20. AND it is economical! Living in a residence hall is less expensive than living off campus.

The UK Office of International Affairs (OIA): UK's Office of International Affairs offers immigration services, new student orientation and various intercultural activities throughout the year. OIA is proud that more than 1,300 international students come from more than 100 countries to study at the University of Kentucky.

The UK Career Center: The University of Kentucky Career Center is one of the top career centers in the country. It offers help with exploring career options, determining skills and interests, finding internships to gain experience, connecting with employers, preparing a resume, practicing interview skills and negotiating a top salary.

UK Academic Enhancement: Academic Enhancement is committed to improving students' overall academic experience. Individual academic consultations, peer tutoring and study skill development workshops are available to all UK students.

The UK Writing Center: The Writing Center offers free assistance with the process of writing both in individual and group consultations on prewriting, writing and rewriting.

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Kentucky. To learn more, review all of our programs and select the ones that interest you. Then complete the inquiry form, and we will respond (in English) directly.